Ideal Bite

I don't have a microwave, but I do use a fair amount of tupperware for storing and transporting food. I find that having high-quality storage means I'm less likely to use plastic bags, saran wrap or aluminim foil. I also find that I have to throw out (compost) less food because it keeps better in tupperware. Given that I'm not using it for re-heating in a microwave, do you really think tupperware is that bad? I'd love to hear what others think.

We have a large collection of tupperware that came from my mother-in-law (who sold it back in the 80's). We use it frequently, since it's reusable, but we put the food onto our stoneware plates or bowls before heating leftovers. We also have a good bit of Corningware and canning jars. Corningware tends to be a bit bulky, and I like it better for large-quantity leftovers than individual meals. Canning jars are great for freezing soup (and, of course, canning - I make my own jam and pickles), but the metal lids and rings can't be microwaved. My feeling on the tupperware is that since it already existed (and was free) and is reusable, it's fine for storage. I just won't heat food in plastic because there's enough research suggesting that the endocrine disruptors release from plastic are really problematic. Here's a link to the website of Fred vom Saal, a toxicologist who studies bisphenol A and other endocrine disruptors that leach out of plastics (especially #3 and #7 plastics): http://endocrinedisruptors.missouri.edu/vomsaal/vomsaal.html This page includes a lot of primary research articles that may be a little dense for many folks to digest, but he provides nice summaries of his work.

I'm all for this, but practically speaking, most corningware or pyrex containers don't have an interlocking lid that makes it practical to carry leftovers to the office to eat for lunch. I should try to do better at home, but I'm not up for risking spillage in the car to save one bag. I do have a coworker wo attempts reuse ziploc bags. My grandma, who carried depression-era memories to her grave, used to re-use plastic bread bags and styrofoam plates. We all laughed at her, but she was sure ahead of her time. Or, everything old is new again!

Any thoughts on how to dispose of "legacy" plastic storage containers?

I would love to get rid of my plastic containers, but glass and plastic ones do not provide a good enough seal to either freeze leftovers or soups or to carry food to work or a party. The only exception are the pyrex bowls with flexible plastic lids (we own a dozen). Is the plastic lid safe to use in the microwave?

I do have Tupperware, along with Corningware and Pyrex, but recently have discovered something called the Snack Sack. These are meant to take the place of zip locks baggies in terms of holding little snacks, like goldfish, pretzels and the like for outings with kids. I have bought one for each member of the family. These are perfect and they hook onto a purse, diaper bag, or belt loop with the attached carabiner ring. They are available in organic cotton or regular cotton or denim material. They can be found at www.thesnacksack.com

The people who use Tupperware as disposables have to be freaking rich. This is some of the most expensive kitchenware on the market. It was never designed to be disposable but a lifelong purchase. Maybe the writers at Ideal Bite have it confused with the Ziploc and Gladlock containers that are sold in four packs at supermarkets. We have some tupperware but wouldn't consider it disposable in any way. I am almost 40 and some of the tupperware we use at my house is older than I am.

Again, the green consumption misunderstanding can easily come in to play here. Don't buy new pyrex and throw away the old, if you have existing functional tupperware. If you're in the market for storage containers, buy glass. Unless what you have is toxic, then get rid of it... PS, the glass containers on greenfeet are from France. Is there a US options to cut down on transportation? OR does the other stuff come from China anyway? That article/link was very helpful. This is one of my favorite tips yet.

Doctors recommend that you don't microwave plastic. Not exactly: doctors recommend that you don't microwave plastic that isn't meant to be microwaved. When you make claims you need to cite them. You're no better than the other side when you make unfounded claims. For example: http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0706a.shtml Plastics are generally awful for a variety of reasons and you don't need to exaggerate to make a case against them.